I was recently advised to get a crown, and porcelain-fused-to-metal came up as an option. Since it’s a long-term decision, I’ve been trying to understand how well it actually holds up with daily use. For those who’ve had it, how durable is it over time, and are there any common issues or maintenance I should be aware of?
我的PFM牙冠已经戴了大概十二年了，总体来说还挺好的。医生当时告诉我一般能用十到十五年，但关键还是看平时怎么保养。我自己坚持刷牙、用牙线，也尽量不咬太硬的东西，感觉确实有帮助。
I’d been grinding my teeth without really realizing it for years. During a routine checkup, my dentist pointed it out and said it was putting stress on my crown. He suggested trying a night guard, which I’ll be honest, I was skeptical about at first. But a few months in, I noticed less soreness in the morning, and more importantly the crown itself seems to be holding up fine. PFM crowns can vary a lot depending on your habits, I think. For me, that one recommendation probably added years to it.
Got a PFM crown on a molar a few years ago. My dentist said ten to fifteen years is typical if you stay on top of hygiene. Avoiding hard foods and not skipping cleanings seems to be the main thing.
When my dentist placed a PFM crown on my molar, one of the first things she mentioned was how important bite balance is apparently back teeth take a lot more force than people realize. I’d been clenching without knowing it, which she caught during an early follow-up. She made a small adjustment and recommended I come back more regularly. Looking back, I think that proactive approach made a difference. I haven’t had any major issues since, though I do try to be conscious of not chewing on particularly hard things with that side. It’s not complicated care, just consistent.
Gum recession eventually exposed the metal edge on mine, and there was a small chip too. If I could go back, I’d pick zirconia or E-max over PFM better aesthetics in the long run.